Spout for metallic containers



Jan. 12, 1960 A. BINDER SPOUT FOR METALLIC CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 15, 1956 Ame/wry United States PatentO M ice SPOUT FOR METALLIC CONTAINERS Alfred Binder, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Sherwin- Vlllams Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Application November 15, `1956, Serial No. 622,389 5 Claims. (Cl. 222-541) This invention relates, as indicated, to a novel spout for metallic receptacles or containers, -and more partieularly to a non-metallic spout for a metallic can.

The dramatic increase ,inV the household use of liquid detergents as well as a multitude of other compositions which can be packaged in metallic containers has highlighted the need for a dispensing device which meets not only the requirements of the material contained, but also the requirements of the plants producing and/or packaging such materials. The liquid detergents, for example, do notv lend themselves readily for packaging in widemouth containers. Consequently, the top portion of a tin can, for example, comprises a reducing neck and a relatively small diameter spout. The fabrication of these devices from metal, while not particularly complicated in and of itself, introduces problems in the rapid feeding of such entirely metallic devices to the top-afxing machines, because such tops with the protruding spouts are difcult to handle due to their generally unsymmetrical nature. They are hard to feed from a bulk storage and diicult to transport through conveyor lines.

To answer the problemof convenient dispensing and a non-corrosive spout, the industry has adopted many forms of plastic spouts or nozzles. One of the properties aiforded by polyethylene or polypropylene, for example, is that it can be made into the so-called dripless spout by providing the outer lip with a champfered ange. v To date, however, such polyethylene or polypropylene nozzles have been attached to the metallic container top' portion, and the thus produced top-nozzle assembly then rolled on to the can body by suitable machinery. Again, thecan fabricator is dealing with an unsymmetrical object which is difficult to handle.

There is, therefore, a need for a spout which can be attached to the mental can body after the metal portion of the container has been completely fabricated; The substantially cylindrical nozzles or spouts can be easily handled from a hopper and transported along current conveyor lines. The completed metallic portions of the container are also easily handled by current equipment.

It is a principal object of this invention, therefore, to provide a non-metallic spout for a metallic container which may be emplaced in the container after full fabrication of the metallic portion thereof. This` necessitates a device which can be applied externally of the can body and secured thereto without resort to anchoring means or attachment means which rely upon underside forming attaching or anchoring means.

Other objects of this invention will appear as the description proceeds.

In its broadest aspects, therefore, this invention coinprises the provision of an externally insertable spout for a metallic container which container has a rimmed circular opening therein. Such spout comprises in combination a resiliently deformable plastic nozzle having a tubular body with substantially non-tapering inner walls, and a ange at one end of diameter larger than that of said n 2,920,799 vPatented Jan. l2, 1960 2 circular opening and capable of passing therethrough upon application of deforming force, and a hollow cylinder adapted to be telescopically received and frictionally retained within said nozzle and to prevent substantial deformation of the nozzle in the region of said flange.

Throughout this specification the term spout will be understood as comprising the two parts above mentioned in combination. The term nozzle will have its ordinary meaning indicating the protruding exit or vent of a container or receptacle.

In the annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a metallic container having a nozzle in accordance with the present invention axed thereto prior to the introduction of the retaining ring or cylinder.-

Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary enlarged cross section of the container and nozzle of Fig. 1 with the retaining ring in place.` f

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a modified spout in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of another modication in accordance with this invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is provided in Fig. 1 a metallic container 1 having a rimmed circular opening 2 therein. Mounted in said rimmed circular opening, there is provided a resiliently deformable plastic nozzle 3 comprising a generally tubular body 4 having a mouth 5 at its upper end, a threaded portion 6 intermediate its extremities, and a ange portion 7 shown internally of the container. In dotted lines there is further shown a retaining ring or hollow cylinder member 8 which is adapted to t tightly within the tubular body 4.

Fig. 2`shows in 'somewhat better detail the structure of the spout composed of the combination of the nozzle 3 and the retaining ring 8. The inner walls 9 of the tubular body 4 are, it will be observed, substantially nontapering. By the term substantially as used in this connection, is meant that such minor deviations from nontapering as evidenced by the non-drip lip 10 and its inward protrusion, and such inward protrusion as may appear in flanges more particularly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 do not destroy the non-tapering aspect. The retaining ring 8 is able to negotiate or pass over the inward protrusion of the dripless structure 10 without substantial difiiculty, due to the deformability of the plastic employed.

Also shown in Fig. 2 are means for retaining a cap such as threads 11 located intermediate the ends of the tubular body 4. It is obvious that other cap retaining means, such as, detents may be employed.

In the lower portion of the tubular body 4 there is provided a groove 12 defined by a pair of shoulders 13 and 14. The circumferential groove 12 is desirably of a diameter such that contact with the rimmed circular opening 15 of the metallic container is made. The lowermost shoulder 14 deiines a ilange 16 at one extremity of said tubular body 4. The diameters of the shoulders 13 and 14 are greater than that of the circular opening 15. The diameterof ange 14, while greater than the diameter of the circular opening 15, is further such that the Iilange 16 is capable of passing through the opening 15 upon application of deforming force in an axial direction. In the preferred case, the shoulder 13 may deiine a ilange 17 which may have a diameter, as shown in Fig. 2, greater than the opening 15 and greater than the maximum diameter of the flange 16. yIn practical usage, it is desirable from a standpoint of handling these'nozzles in a storage hopper to have the ange 17 of larger maximum diameter than that of the ilange 16.

The retaining ring 8 may be provided with a champ fered lower edge 18, and desirably a similarly champfered upper edge 19. The practicality of having both Ithe upper and lower edges similarly shaped is obvious in making unnecessary proper orientation of the retaining rings in the storage hopper for this part.

In Figs. 3 and 4 modification of the device shown inv Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated. In Fig. 3, for example, the flange 16 is provided with a radially inwardly directed portion 20 having a diameter less than the internal diameter of the tubular body 4. The upper face 2.1 of the flange 2 0, may be so shaped as to engage the champfered face 18 Yof the retaining ring 8 and provide va seat for said retaining ring. It will be observed that the metallic portion of the container 22 is shown with a downwardly rolled opening 23. Y

In Fig. 4, the metallic portion 2 2 is shown as an upwardly rolled opening Z4. Theiiange portipnl of Fig. 4 is again somewhat differently shaped frornthat shown in Fig. 3, causing the retaining ring 8 tov be` disposed ill, a position somewhat short of thebottorn o f the 'tubular member 4; By the application of dQWnwardpressure on the retaining ring 8, the retaining ring 8 may beA very tightly forced against the flange 16 and its invvard'proV tuberance 2t), causing the tubular'body 4 Vto be tightly locked to the rimmed opening 24. Y

The non-metallic portion of the container, i.e the spout composed of the nozzle and retainer ring, may be fabricated most conveniently from polyethylene l Polypropylene. The procedure for making such nozzles is a well known plastic molding procedure utilizing a two piece mold. Other materials may be used for lthe fabrication of both the nozzle portion and the retaining ring portion such as, for example, butadiene-styrene synthetic rubber, butadiene-acrylonitrile synthetic rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.

The spout assembly is aliixed by a simple press to the metallic container having a relatively small diameter opening in the top thereof (relative to the diameter of the `can body). The nozzle portion is threaded onto a cylindrical member having a shoulder which can abut against the upper or dripless edge as shown in Fig. 1, for example. Downward axial pressure will therefore force the flange 16 down through the rimmed opening 15 by causing a deformation of the deformable plastic. When the flange 16 has passed the obstruction provided by therolledover rimmed opening 15, it returns to its former shape and becomes retained within the opening by the engagement of the rimmed portion between the shoulders 13 and 14. The shoulderscooperate to p re-4V vent both upward and downward movement of the H0221@ With respect to the rimmed circular opening. In order that the nozzle may not be rernoved'from the rimmed Opening by a chance oblique blow, .for @carnale9 directed at one side o f the nozzle, the retainer ring 8 iS Senf 110111@ ill. the Same 0Pel'ation by a smaller plunger operating within the device for seating the nozzle. The amount of travel ofthe plunger for seating the retainer ring 8, it is well understood, can be regulated. With the retainer ring 8 in position, deformation of the tubular body 4 is prevented to an extent suiiicient that the spout cannot be easily dislodged from its location in the rimmed circular opening.

, The retainer ring 8, as indicated above, may be made from the same material as the nozzle portion 3, a stiffer embodiment of the same plastic (e.g., a higher polymer of polyethylene), o1' it may be made of la rigid materialV such as metal, fiber, or a resin impregnated paper. The O D. of the retainer ring is such that a tight sliding t is obtained with the LD. of the nozzle 3. i

In Fig. 3 there is shown a modification of the retaining ring 8 #wherein there is provided a frangible disc 25 lic spout to a pre-fabricated non-metal can body, the entire attachment being effected externally of the container and without reliance upon anchoring means inserted from the under-side of the metal top of the container. One of the advantages of this feature is that the attachment of the spout to a metal container can be performed at the place where the container is filled, which is in most cases remote from the plate where the metallic can body is fabricated. The handling of containers without a protruding vent during filling operations is considerably easier and attachment ofthe spout and cap at the can iilling operation is in many cases to be desired.

Other modes of applying the principle of this invention may be employed instead of those specifically set forth above, changes being made as regards the details herein disclosed, provided the elements set forth in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such be employed.

' nozzle having 'a tubular body with substantially nontapering inner Walls, one end having a circumferential groove defined by a pair of axially spaced apart shoulders having diameters greater than that of said circular opening, the shouldery next adjacent the extremity of said tubular body defining a ange capable of passing through said opening upon the application of deforming force, and the other end having a threaded portion adapted to receive and retain a cap; and a relatively stiffer hollow cylinder having non-tapering outer walls adapted to be telescopically received and frictionally retained within said nozzle and to prevent substantial deformation of the nozzle in the region of said flange.

2. An externally insertable spout for a metallic container havingV a rimmed circular opening therein, comprising in combination a resiliently deformable plastic nozzle having a tubular body with substantially nontapering inner Walls, one end having a circumferential groove-defined by a pair of axially spaced apart shoulders having diameters greater than that of said circular opening, the shoulder next adjacent thev extremity 0f Said tubular body defining .aliadas Capable of passing through said opening upon application of dafonnina farce, said flange having an internal diameter less than that 0f the tubular body andV defining an inwardly extending portion thereof; and the other end of said tubular body having a threaded portion adapted to .receive and retain a cap; and a rela ely stiffer hollow Cylinder having non-taparins Outerwalls adapted; to be telescopically received and frictionally retained within said nozzle and t0 prevent sub.- stantial Ydeformation of the nozzle in the region of said ange.

3. An externally insertable spout for a metallic container having a rimmed circular opening therein, comprising in combination a resileintly deformable plastic nozzle having a tubular body withsubstantially non-tapering inner Walls, one end having a circumferential groove defined by a pair of axially spaced apart shoulders having diameters greater than that of said circular opening, the shoulder next adjacent the extremity of said tubular body dening a Hanse Capable of passing through said opening upon application of deforrning force, said flange having an internal diameter less than that of the tubular body and 'deiiningan inwardly extending portion thereof; and the other end of said tubular body having a threaded portion adapted to .receive and retain a cap; and a relhtl'vely stiffer hollow cylinder adapted to betelescopically received and frictionally retained within said nozzle to prevent substantial deformation of the nozzle in the region of said ange, said hollow cylinder further having a complementarily shaped portion adapted to engage and seat against the inwardly extending portion of said ange.

4. A spout in accordance with claim 3 in which said hollow cylinder is further characterized by having a frangible disc closing the opening therethrough.

5. A spout in accordance with claim l in which the circumferential `groove has an external diameter equal to the internal diameter of the rimmed circular opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bailey Nov. 2, 1937 Mueller Apr. 23, 1940 Fialip Apr. 29, 1941 Miller Aug. 31, 1954 Rieke Nov. 8, 1955 Reinhardt Sept. 11, 1956 Pottle Ian. 7, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 920,799 January l29 1960 Alfred Binder i It is herebt certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l line 6.2Q after "forming" insert a comma; column 4 line 8, for "plate" read place column 5,1 line 5 for the Claim reference numeral "3" read l I Signed and sealed this 27th day of September 1960.,

(SEAL) Attest;

KARL Ho, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interfelence No. 91,526 nvolyng Patent No. '2,920,7 99, A. Binder, :Spont for metallic containers, nal Judgment adverse to the patente@ Was rendered Dec. 5, 1963, as to claims l, 2, 3 and 5.

[Oozal Gazette Apm'l 28, 1.964.] 

